You've probably already seen these two famous photos of Aran sweaters. On the first one, Steve Mcqueen during the shooting of the movie The Thomas Crown Affair. On the second one, Grace Kelly in 1950, in the bay of Monaco.

What brand are they wearing ? McGeorge of Scotland! Over the past 100 years, McGeorge has made a name for itself on the world market, including some of the most famous actors and actresses in history. One example is Jean-Luc Goddard's 1960s film, Blowout, where Jean Seberg wears an oversized McGeorge sweater.

History

In 1881, James McGeorge took over Robert Scott and Sons, a small family knitting shop in Dumfries, to create his own brand. The Future Museum South-West of Scotland website states that from 1885, "McGeorge specialised in the production of gloves on knitting machines designed and developed in their own factories. Further expansion took place from 1888 when the large factories on St. Michael Street became vacant and the McGeorge company moved its operations there. By 1902, the company also had a portion of the Nithsdale factories, where 700 to 800 workers, mostly young women, were employed. McGeorge also operated a glove factory in Sanquhar and other smaller units in the countryside around Dumfries." Over the years McGeorge became the largest hosiery company in Dumfries. It produced mainly cashmere, Shetland wool and cotton sweaters. It also specializes in intersia knitwear. McGeorge works both under white label - for luxury brands such as Lanvin, Burberrys, Sulka - and under its own brand.

McGeorge was later acquired by the Dawson International Group, which also owned other historic Scottish brands such as Braemar, Pringle of Scotland, Todd & Duncan and Barrie Knitwear.McGeorge closed its doors in the 1990s. It was only very recently, in 2017, that Lorenzo Borre and Simone Castronvo relaunched J&D McGeorge in Hawick with the support of the Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Development International. 20 skilled jobs have been created.

PRODUCTION

Not surprisingly, McGeorge of Scotland uses mainly Cotton Machines to knit its sweaters. Straight Bar Frame machines have been retained in a number of high-end workshops because of their smooth knitting and good productivity.

COLLECTIONS & DISTRIBUTION

McGeorge's collections are currently not easy to find. The Rake offered a selection last winter of cashmere sweaters - from Loro Piana - and Shetland wool. Another possibility via Oconnells Clothing. Or on Yoox. Good news, the McGeorge website was launched a few months ago and is slowly being operational offering MTO.